Many Democrats Still Sour on Their Party, AP-NORC Poll Finds

Enthusiasm for Democratic Party remains low despite recent election wins

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A new AP-NORC poll finds that while the majority of Democrats still view their party positively, their enthusiasm has dropped significantly since President Trump's 2024 victory. Only about 7 in 10 Democrats now have a favorable opinion of the party, down from 85% in 2024. The lack of enthusiasm could be a longer-term problem for Democrats, even as they have notched recent special election wins and polls show Republicans losing ground on key issues like the economy and immigration.

Why it matters

The drop in Democratic Party favorability among rank-and-file Democrats could signal trouble for the party heading into the 2024 midterm elections, despite other factors that may benefit them such as negative views of Trump and Republicans. Enthusiasm and a positive party image are important for driving voter turnout, so the poll results suggest Democrats may face challenges mobilizing their base.

The details

The AP-NORC poll found that Democratic Party favorability plummeted from 85% in September 2024 to just 67% in October 2025, and those views have not recovered despite Democratic wins in recent special elections. The lack of enthusiasm is consistent across different demographic groups of Democrats. Other polling has found that around two-thirds of Democrats say their own party makes them 'frustrated', with many feeling the party is not fighting hard enough against Trump or lacking good leadership and a cohesive agenda.

  • The AP-NORC poll was conducted from February 5-8, 2026.
  • Democratic Party favorability dropped from 85% in September 2024 to 67% in October 2025.

The players

Democratic Party

The political party that currently holds the presidency and a slim majority in Congress, but is facing declining enthusiasm among its own supporters according to the poll.

Donald Trump

The former Republican president whose 2024 victory contributed to the drop in Democratic Party favorability among Democrats.

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The takeaway

The AP-NORC poll results suggest the Democratic Party faces a potential enthusiasm gap heading into the 2024 midterm elections, despite other factors that may benefit them. Rebuilding positive sentiment among the party's base will be crucial for driving voter turnout and success at the ballot box.